Modes computation and analysis for long multi-span bundle conductors of power transmission lines with galloping control devices

A new type of element which is suitable for solving the modes of the galloping long multi-span bundle conductor structures is presented. The element is composed of all sub-conductor segments between two spacers. Based on the linearized governing differential equations of the conductors, the mass matrix and stiffness matrix of the element in consideration of the constrained relations imposed on the conductors by spacers are derived. The dynamic characteristics of the galloping control devices can be directly added to the element. The modes for an actual power line structure are computed by using the element formula and FEM procedures, where seven cases of different galloping control device allocations are considered. Compared with the measured data, the method is shown to be reliable and effective. Analysis and discussions of the computational results are given. Some hints that are helpful to further investigation of galloping are also obtained.